Examined what families were particularly vulnerable to depredations of inflation in 1970s and early 1980s using data from Panel Study of Income Dynamics. Found inflation was most harmful to those least often in the labor force and on fixed or low incomes--older women and single mothers and their families. (Author/ABL)

Couples in which one spouse had terminal cancer reported expressions of love, marriage problems, and commitment to each other after diagnosis of cancer and before diagnosis. Cancer group reported expressing more love to each other after diagnosis and more love than comparison group of healthy subjects. Cancer couples were less committed to each…

Discusses family life in China, which has undergone several dramatic changes including raising of the legal marriage age, less restrictions on divorce, and official promotion of family planning. Because these policies and practices conflict with Chinese traditions, inevitable problems have arisen. (JAC)

The study assesses the relationships between feelings of alienation and family problems associated with moving. The study concludes that geographic mobility and family problems associated with moving are more likely to be found in the Army family in which the wife-mother feels alienated from society and the Army community. (Author)

Notes that many children who experience abuse, family disruption, or poverty reach adulthood with a strong commitment to family life. Questions whether changes in American families are indicators of pathology, deterioration, and instability; and asks how dysfunctional families transmit commitment to the concept of family to succeeding generations.…

Used perspective of cognitive social psychology to explore "child of divorce" prototype with college student subjects (n=403) in three studies. Employed free-recall task to generate descriptions of children from divorced families in first study; second and third studies tested hypothesis that people recall information about children from divorced…

Investigated interrelationships between perceived causes of divorce in a sample of 275 males and 336 females. Seven dimensions of divorce, underlying 18 possible contributing causes, were revealed. Significant differences were found between the sexes both in frequencies with which causes were identified and in composition of the seven factors.…

Attributional bias (unrealistic optimism and responsibility) was examined in relationship to conflict among married and divorced individuals. Individuals perceived themselves as better than average and as more responsible than their partners for marital problems. Optimism bias was lower among divorced individuals and those with a higher level of…

Study of former and current members of controversial religious cults revealed a strong correlation between measures of family affinity and choices by cult devotees to leave or stay. Differences between leavers and stayers are shown in perceived parental attitudes toward involvement, prior familial closeness, and adolescent experiences with…

Preliminary findings are presented bearing on several hypotheses derived from exchange theory. Postulating a relationship between the breakdown of intrafamilial exchange and parent-youth conflict, support for the general hypothesis is found. No significant relationships are found, however, between key structural variables and conflict. (Author)

Investigated relationship dimensions of 70 Australian couples from stepfamilies. Findings indicated major strengths for stepfamilies were areas of sexual relationship and equalitarian roles, whereas major stressors were children and parenting, former attachments, and adjustments. Simple stepfamily couples (children from one parent) were in more…

Draws from U.S. Census data to review family trends of past 30 years. Appraises evidence for family decline in three areas: demographic, institutional, and cultural. Argues that families have lost functions, power, and authority; that familism as cultural value has diminished; and that people have become less willing to invest time, money, and…

This paper uses Billingsley's typology to examine the association between family structures and functions. It is concluded that modifications of the typology would expand its utility, that detailed information about family structure reduces the chance of distortion and contributes to greater understanding, and that Billingsley overemphasized the…

Examined the relationship of commitment in marriage and change in commitment over marriage to the expression of love and marriage problems among long-term Norwegian married couples. Results indicated that those who were committed to their spouses as persons had significantly fewer marriage problems. Those whose commitment increased expressed more…

Examines the relationships between individual, work, and family demands and resources and work-related family problems among working parents (N=468). Presents a conceptual framework for the analysis of work-related family problems and documents the importance of several specific time demands and time management resources. (JAC)